How to Buy the Best Baby Blankets for Your Baby

As a new parent, or an expecting parent, you’re probably going to be excited, happy, nervous and terrified all at the same time. You’ll probably be researching every item, and trying to decide which one is the best or most suitable for your needs. Some of the most important items you’ll be buying are for your baby’s crib. How your baby sleeps will determine how you sleep, so you’re going to want the best baby blankets you can get. As there’s so many choices, it can be a little overwhelming trying to decide exactly which ones are the best. This article can help you get a better idea on how to choose the blankets you want for your baby

Types of Blanket

Not only are baby blankets available in a wide range of colors and materials, but there are different kinds of baby blanket.

Receiving Blankets

Receiving blankets are often given as a new baby gift, but they have a whole range of uses. They are lightweight, usually around one square yard, and can be used to swaddle the baby, catch spit up, put on the floor for the baby to lie on, and almost anything else you can think of.

Security Blankets

Security blankets are soft, and could look a little like a teddy bear. They’re designed to give comfort, and make a really nice keepsake as your child grows.

Swaddling Blankets

These are a bit like a pouch for your baby. There’s many variations of them available, but all of them are designed to easily swaddle the baby, so you’re not fighting with loose blankets.

Crib Blanket

These loose blankets can be found in a myriad of materials, colors and patterns. Although, if you decide to use them you will need to take extra care.

How to Buy the Best Baby Blankets for Your Baby

Materials

Baby blankets are made from so many different materials, each material has its own pros and cons.

Cotton : Some blankets are made from 100% cotton. It’s durable, and the blankets tend to be lightweight.

Wool : Wool blankets come in a range of colors, patterns and knits, but some babies, and indeed adults don’t like the feeling of wool.

Fleece : Fleece blankets are very soft, but they’re also very warm. These are better suited for colder weather.

Faux fur : Faux fur is made from 100% cotton and is non shed. However, it can be awkward to wash, so isn’t always suitable as an everyday blanket.

Flannel : Flannel is soft, cozy, and warm. It would be a better blanket for winter because of its heat retaining properties.

Chenile: Chenile blankets may be one of the most popular materials, because of how soft it is. Although it can also trap heat, so you should take care to avoid overheating your baby.

Cashmere : If you have a large disposable income, then you could get some cashmere baby blankets. They’re expensive in comparison to other materials, but they are soft, durable and lightweight.

Using loose blankets

Many people prefer not to use loose blankets, because you do need to take extra care with them. If you want to use loose blankets then place your baby in the crib on his or her back, with the feet at the bottom of the crib. The blanket shouldn’t be any higher than the baby’s chest, and the ends of the blanket should be tucked under the mattress so that it doesn’t become loose and entangle the baby.

Sleep Sacks

If you don’t want to use a blanket, then a sleep sack is a great alternative. You can find them in a vast range of colors, and they have a tog rating to help you choose the right amount of heat. You choose the tog just like you would for your own duvet. They are like sleeping bags, and are secured on the baby. They don’t come off if your baby is a restless sleeper, and they don’t move up to tangle your baby up. The baby sleep sack is like a sleeping bag, with a wide bottom, but the toddler version has open feet so your baby can stand up in the crib without falling, or having their feet tangled.

The Best Baby Blankets Reviews

The Halo Sleep Swaddle sack has a 4.3 rating. It’s made from 100% cotton has comes in two sizes, and 21 color choices. It’s a swaddle and a sleeping bag combined. It gives three swaddle options, and has an inverted zipper, so it doesn’t need to come off for middle of the night diaper changes.

Pros

3 swaddle options

Huge color choice

Hip healthy

Cons

Can ride up

Sizing can be too big

Swaddling can mean that your make won’t be able to right themselves if they roll over, but the swaddling options does allow you to leave your baby’s arms free. The inverted zipper does mean that diaper changes are easier and less disruptive to your baby’s sleep.

The Woolino Baby Sleeping Bag has a 4.8 rating. It’s made from woolmark certified Australian Merinio wool and GOTS certified 100% organic cotton. It comes in three sizes and 6 color choices

Pros

100% natural

Regulates heat

Machine washable

Suitable for all weathers and temperatures

Hypoallergenic

Cons

Needs to be washed on a wool cycle

More expensive than other options

It is more pricey than other sleeping bags and blankets, but it’s made from really high quality materials. It needs to be washed on a wool cycle which is a little inconvenient, but overall it is worth its price tag.

The Luvable Friends Flannel Receiving blankets have a 4.0 rating. They are a pack of four multi purpose flannel blankets, and are available in 17 color and pattern choices. They are reasonably priced, and can be washed in the regular laundry cycle.

Pros

Affordable

4 pack, with lots of color optins

Multi purpose

100% flannel cotton

Cons

Small

Not as durable as other blankets

Thin material

These blankets are good as a set of four, but the size means that they might not be suitable for your baby as a blanket. They are multi purpose, and are very affordable.

The Hudson Baby printed blanket has a 4.8 rating. It’s made from soft materials on both sides. It’s lightweight, but is probably better for colder weather. It’s 30” x 40”, and comes in blue or pink giraffes.

Conclusion

Each of the products are fantastic in their own way, and the Hudson Baby security blanket is a very close runner up. It’s durable, high quality and really cute. The Woolino Sleeping Bag has to be the overall winner. It’s more expensive but it is very high quality. It has a woolmark certified Australian Merino wool lining, and GOTS certified 100% organic cotton outer layer. It helps prevent overheating in warm weather and climates, but it retains heat in colder weather and climates. It is worth the higher price tag.